A WOMAN has died after falling 85ft into the River Wear from the Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland today (November 15).

Sunderland's inshore RLNLI lifeboat was called into action shortly after 2.15m after the middle-aged woman was seen falling into the river.

Members of Northumbria Police, Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team, North East Ambulance Service, Tyne & Wear Fire Brigade, and an RAF search and rescue helicopter were also in attendance.

The woman was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, in Newcastle, where she was pronounced dead.